•FCCPC reacts
By Chinelo Obogo
For disregarding the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and special needs, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has shut down the KFC outlet at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos with effect from March 28, 2024.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) immediately reacted to the move, saying it would serve as a deterrent to other establishment who show blatant regard to persons with reduced mobility and special needs.
FAAN, in a statement signed by the Authority’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, explained that the eatery was shut down because it violated the Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs.
It said: “In line with Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which states that a person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person.
“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku intervened swiftly by deploying a management team to investigate the allegation. It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMIA, where the incident occurred.
“The Authority has instructed that the KFC management should tender an unreserved apology in writing to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation. FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected PRM and assures all airport users that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon.”
Adebola Daniel, a son of former Ogun governor, Gbenga Daniel, the victim of the discrimination, said on his X handle on Wednesday that he experienced what he described as “the worst sort of public humiliation” at KFC. Narrating his ordeal, Daniel who uses a wheel chair, said his ordeal started during his planned trip to London from Lagos. He stated that in the past, while he was quite familiar with security and immigration processes, being a frequent traveller, he would visit one of the lounges at the airport to wait for his flight. He said due to the fact the lift to the lounge has been out of service, he decided to go to the KFC outlet in the airport, alongside his wife and his three brothers.
He said: “To be disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcome and unaccepted. As I’ve said before, it’s a lonely, scary and isolated place. Never has this been more true than it has ever been when I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand and at an international airport – Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos – is unthinkable. I’m a frequent flyer and I’m extremely familiar with all due processes at the airport.
Years ago, after all security and immigration formalities had been completed, I would normally go to the Oasis lounge to wait for my flight.”
Daniel said that as they were about to sit, a lady whom he believes is the manager said that wheelchairs were not allowed. He said that upon hearing what she said, one of his brothers, Taiwo, asked what the lady meant, but “she refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.
“My siblings and wife became instantly irate and proceeded to debate her position with her, ultimately culminating in raised voices and strong verbal protests. If there’s one thing I hate more than anything in this life is to create a scene. I detest it. I do not like to draw attention to myself and as such I began pleading with my people that we should just leave. My wife took some video footage and my brothers took some pictures. There were at least five other witnesses at the scene, who tried to intervene as things unfolded. Eventually, our party departed to another lounge upset and quite frankly pissed off,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the acting executive vice chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, condemned the discrimination against Mr. Daniel, saying the commission would work with relevant authorities to ensure appropriate redress and ensure KFC takes full responsibility for their action.
He said: “The FCCPC commends the swift action taken by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in shutting down the KFC outlet. We fully support its directive for the restaurant to issue a written apology to the affected individual and implement a clear non-discrimination policy displayed prominently for all customers. We will closely monitor developments and take appropriate actions in accordance with the provisions of the FCCPA. This incident serves as a reminder to all businesses operating in Nigeria that consumer protection laws apply equally, regardless of a customer’s ability,” he said.
In a statement on X, KFC Nigeria expressed its commitment to inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of their values and announced plans on inclusivity training for all its employees to prevent a repeat of such incidents.